REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
January 16th, 2024
The City Council of the City of Fayette, Iowa, met Tuesday, January 16th, at 6:00 pm in the Community Room at the Fayette Community Library pursuant to law and rules of said council, Mayor Post presiding. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll call: Present - Council members Lowery, Luchsinger, Larson, Potratz, and Scott.
Moved Potratz seconded Luchsinger to approve the consent agenda items consisting of the regular meeting minutes of 1/02/24, Approval of claims list 12/30/23 – 1/12/24. Roll Call. All Ayes, motion carried.
Motion Lowery Second Larson to approve the agenda. Roll Call, All ayes, Motion carried.
Mayor Post addressed the council giving kudos to the public works department on their efforts with the snow removal after the recent snowstorm. Mayor Post also spoke about a 5-year Capital Improvements plan that he would like to start working on. This plan would provide a schedule of projects to have a clearer understanding of what the city’s goals are and when and how the city will need to budget for projects.
City Administrator/Clerk Mark Hawes stated in his written report that he is working on budget worksheets with department heads and plans to work with previous city administrator Kris McGrane to work through the budget process. Hawes virtually attended the Iowa League of Cities Municipal Leadership Academy with meetings on Jan 3-5th. Hawes has been working with Simmering Cory on updating Fayette’s city code. Hawes is working with Access Systems to get the new city hall location set up with network lines.
Fayette Police Chief Ben Davis reported to the council that he is working with state legislators on advocating for smaller towns to have more representation on curriculum at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy. Davis was invited to visit with them in Des Moines on January 31st. The new police truck will be outfitted with equipment over the next couple of weeks. Expected arrival is shortly after it’s outfitted.
Motion Larson Seconded Scott, to approve the First Reading of Ordinance 519 – Amending Fayette City Code Chapter 69.08 No Parking Zones. Roll Call. Luchsinger: Aye, Scott: Aye, Larson: Aye, Lowery: Nay, Potratz: Aye. First reading passes.
Brian and Anita Vanous addressed the council with plans to repurpose the Fayette elementary school as a rental with 8 units of 2-bedroom apartments. Their goal is to be completed with construction by the end of the year.
Motion Larson, Seconded Lowery, to approve removing Kurt Wood as mayor and Nathan Post as mayor pro-tempore from all the city of Fayette bank accounts and safe deposit box and adding Nathan Post as mayor and Susan Scott as mayor pro-tempore in addition to city administrator/clerk Markus Hawes and deputy clerk Nancy Creery to all the city of Fayette bank accounts and safe deposit box. All ayes, motion carried.
Motion Lowery Seconded Luchsinger to approve removing Kurt Wood as mayor and Nathan Post as mayor pro-tempore and adding Nathan Post as mayor and Susan Scott as mayor pro-tempore in addition to city administrator/clerk Markus Hawes and deputy clerk Nancy Creery to sign City of Fayette Checks. All ayes, motion carried.
Motion Luchsinger, Seconded Lowery, to approve removing Kurt Wood as mayor and Nathan Post as mayor pro-tempore and adding Nathan Post as mayor and Susan Scott as mayor pro-tempore in addition to city administrator/clerk Markus Hawes and deputy clerk Nancy Creery to the City of Fayette’s CDs. All ayes, motion carried.
Motion Scott, Seconded Potratz to approve to roll over existing CDs for another 9 months. All ayes, motion carried.
Motion Scott, Seconded Potratz to approve Resolution 2024-02: Updating the Rules of Procedure Governing the Conduct of Business of the City Council. Potential agenda items are now due to the city clerk by no later than noon, 6 days prior to the next meeting. Roll Call. All ayes, motion carried.
Motion Scott, Seconded Lowery, to approve Resolution 2024-03 Adopting New Housing and Business Incentives. Roll Call. All ayes, motion carried.
Motion Scott, Seconded Lowery to approve Resolution 2024-04 Real Estate Lease Agreement with Verizon Communications Inc. for the Cell Tower Real Estate, updating the revenue shared and extending the agreement through 2033. Roll Call. All ayes, motion carried.
Motion Luchsinger Seconded Larson to reappoint Pat Dillon as the Fayette city attorney. All ayes, motion carried.
Discussion was had about tourism ideas for the city as it is the 150th anniversary of Fayette. The mayor is looking for creative ways to bring more people into Fayette. Motion Scott, Seconded Larson to send discussion on tourism ideas for the city to economic development committee.
Potratz motioned to adjourn. Post declared the meeting adjourned at 7:06 pm.
